Neurologists Warn Ginkgo Biloba Fails Brain Health Tests in 3,000-Person Study
Updated
Updated · AOL · Aug 11
Neurologists Warn Ginkgo Biloba Fails Brain Health Tests in 3,000-Person Study
1 articles · Updated · AOL · Aug 11
Summary
Ginkgo biloba likely does not improve brain health, neurologists said, pointing to human studies that found no meaningful benefit in preventing cognitive decline.
A JAMA trial tracking more than 3,000 adults ages 72 to 96 for about six years found cognitive decline rates were no different from placebo; a 2012 meta-analysis backed that result.
Doctors said the supplement still sells on centuries-old use and mixed small studies, but evidence remains limited and contradictory while supplement makers face less rigorous testing than prescription drugs.
Risks include allergic reactions, bleeding, drug interactions — including with antidepressants — and serotonin syndrome, making the supplement a poor trade-off for uncertain benefit.
With 99% of adults 40 and older saying brain health matters, neurologists instead recommended sleep, regular exercise, social engagement, a MIND-style diet and early medical evaluation for memory concerns.
If Ginkgo biloba showed early promise in labs, why do neurologists warn it could do more harm than good for aging brains?
What makes the MIND diet and daily exercise significantly more effective at preventing cognitive decline than popular over-the-counter memory supplements?
How do regulatory loopholes allow unproven memory supplements to thrive despite clear clinical evidence they fail to prevent dementia?